Henan orphaned source, 1999

compiled by Wm. Robert Johnston
last modified 8 October 2008

Date:
26-28 April 1999

Location:
Henan, P. R. China

Type of event:
lost source

Description:

On 26 April 1999 a disused radiotherapy unit with a 577-curie cobalt-60 source was sold as scrap metal to a waste disposal company where the source was removed from its shielding. The source was sold to a scrap metal dealer at 5:00 PM on 27 April, who took it home and placed it in a bedroom shared by his wife and son. The wife (age 38) and son (age 8) began vomiting overnight, prompting the dealer (age 37) to stay in the room until he began vomiting too. They sought treatment the morning of 28 April and were initially diagnosed with food poisoning. Another doctor recognized possible radiation sickness symptoms and referred them to a hospital for evaluation. The source was reclaimed at 5:00 PM on 28 April.

The woman sustained a dose of 610 rem and developed severe radiation sickness. The man and child sustained doses of 340 rem and 240 rem, respectively, and both developed moderate radiation sickness. All three suffered began recovery after 32-35 days. Four other individuals were assessed and/or treated for lesser exposures.